William Henry Kurtz ^{1 3 4 5 6 7 8}

   FamilySearch ID: L4JV-27W.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1850 in York, York, PA. The 1850 census recorded William Kurtz, brewer, 27, living in the home of Catharine Neil, 45. William's real estate is valued at $10,000, very high for the times.

2. Census in 1860 in York, York, PA. ⁴ The 1860 census recorded William H. Kurtz, 36, living with wife Mary Ann, 25; Charles, 3; Julia B., 1. Also in the home was Anna M. Smith, servant, 22, and Agnes Smith, 14. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania except the Smiths in Wurtemburg, Germany.

3. Census in 1870 in York, York, PA. ⁹ The 1870 census recorded in the 5th ward in York: Wm. H. Kurtz, malters, 45, living with wife Julia A., 29; Charles, 13; Julia B., 11; and a domestic servant, Catharine Foust, 28. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. William's real estate was valued at $30,000 and personal estate at $30,000, very wealthy for the times.
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4. Census in 1880 in York, York, PA. ¹¹ The 1880 census recorded at 215 West Market Street: William H. Kurtz, leather and malt manufacturer, 57, living with wife Julia, 37; Charles, clerk in malt house, 23; and daughter Julia, 21. They and their parents were born in Pennsylvania. Also in the home are servants Catharine Foust, 37, and Amanda Riegraff, 19.

On the same census page is Charles' future wife, Emma M. Beecher, 14, living at 227 West Market Street with her brother, Elmer B. Beecher, 6, and her mother Mary H, 30, and step father, butcher Henry J. Gresley, 46, who married Mary after she divorced her first husband, Elias Beecher. Mary's children fathered by Gresley are with them: David A. Gresley, 20; Bertha L. Gresley, 14; and12-year old twins Nellia G. and Robert J. Gresley. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

Living at 219 West Market Street is Henry's father, grocer Andrew Gresley, 77, and Henry's step-mother, Sophia, 53, and their children: Mary, 28; Jennie, 20; Ella, 19; Lizzie, 17; and Andrew, 11. Andrew was born in Baden, Germany, and Sophia in Hanover, Germany, and their children in Pennsylvania.

5. Book: History of York County (1907): biography of William H. Kurtz, 1907. ^{1 10}
WILLIAM H. KURTZ, prominent manufacturer and banker, was a descendant of Rev. Nicholas Kurtz, who emigrated to America some time in the seventeenth century, and settled in Pennsylvania. George Peter Kurtz was one of a family of twelve children born to Nicholas and Helena (Albright) Kurtz. He was born in Berks County, October 4, 1749. He was one of the early men who came to York County and one of York's pioneer merchants, and an active, enterprising and respected citizen. His son, George Peter Kurtz, was born in York, October 17, 1799. This representative of the Kurtz family was educated for the ministry, but subsequently he learned the carpenter's trade, and chose what seemed to him a more humble sphere in life. He was married, in 1825, to Miss Eliza E. Fisher, also a native of York County, and a daughter of Dr. John and Eliza E. Fisher. The result of this union was two children, viz.: Catherine and Amelia. Mr. Kurtz died in 1836; his widow died in 1882.

Another important personage of the family was Charles Kurtz, born August 30, 1791. He was married to Julia Ann Eichelberger, a native of York County, and two children were born to them: William H. and Catherine, deceased, who resided in Minneapolis, Minn.

William H. Kurtz was born in York, in 1823, and here he resided until his death in 1894. His early education was acquired at York County Academy, but his extensive knowledge of business has been acquired through his own efforts and in actual practical life. At fourteen years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and for seven years he was employed as a clerk in a store. He established a malting business, still conducted under his name, in 1845, in which year he became associated with A. Hamilton Nes. The scope of the enterprise was limited at first, but by reliable methods and industry was enlarged until it became the most important of its kind in southern Pennsylvania. The original firm of Kurtz & Nes continued for about twenty years, after which Mr. Kurtz secured sole control of the business, in which he continued until 1872, when he became a member of the firm known as Baughter, Kurtz & Steward, iron and brass founders, machinists and manufacturers of turbine water wheels. There was in connection with this establishment the Codorus Tannery, which was at that time was one of the most extensive industries of its kind in Pennsylvania. However, Mr. Kurtz continued to be active in connection with the supervision of the malting business until his death. The present style of W. H. Kurtz 7 Son was adopted in 1855, when Mr. Kurtz's son Charles became identified with the business, which he still carries on.

The marriage of Mr. Kurtz with Miss Mary Baughter was solemnized August 17, 1856. To this union were born three children: Charles, Julia, and Mary, the last named dying in infancy. Mrs. Kurtz died in 1861, and five years later Mr. Kurtz was married to Miss Julia A. Baugher, a sister of the former wife, and daughter of Frederick Baugher, who was one of the leading citizens of York. Mr. Kurtz was enterprising in business, liberal in all affairs of true worth and merit, and ranked as one of York County's most valued citizens. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

William married Mary Ann Baugher, daughter of Frederick Baugher and Julia Ann Upp, on 17 Aug 1856 in York, York, PA.¹ (Mary Ann Baugher was born about 1835 in , York, PA ^{4 12} and died in 1861 in York, York, PA ¹.)

William next married Julia A. Baugher, daughter of Frederick Baugher and Julia Ann Upp, on 28 Jun 1866 in York: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, York, PA.² (Julia A. Baugher was born about 1841 in York, York, PA ^{9 12}.)